Murphy’s owners reach out to restaurateur Bernstein for a pub-grub update

(1 of )Murphy's Irish Pub and the Girl and the Fig may soon realize their inevitable crossing.

KATHLEEN HILL

INDEX-TRIBUNE FOOD & WINE EDITOR | May 18, 2017

Murphy’s Irish Pub owners Bob Smith and Bill Pollock have reached out to the Girl and the Fig’s Sondra Bernstein and John Toulze to take over day-to-day operations and marketing for the Plaza pub, based on their “reputations for consistency and efficiency,” according to Smith.

If the plan comes to fruition, Murphy’s will still be an Irish pub, but with more exciting pub food. Murphy’s owners stress that it does not mean the pub menu will turn Girl & the Fig style. It does mean well-traveled Toulze would update the food and flow of the operations. Smith said, “the menu will evolve with a pub take on it.”

Smith and Pollock believe Murphy’s needs a freshening up, and so after tossing around a few ideas, on went the light bulb. Now Smith says, “We are very excited.” Bernstein and Toulze are looking forward to a new challenge, as well. Stay tuned.